Village of Farmersville

Village of Farmersville. Building Our Future by Remembering Our Past. , (all photo captions), . Like many in our community, Louis Sedentop made his living as a farmer. Arriving in America from Germany in 1835, he settled on eighty acres of land in Montgomery County. He married Honora Leonard in 1859 and they became parents of nine children. He built his own home and all the improvements on the south side of what was later to be Farmersville. On part of this land, which he donated, the Village of Farmersville was started and laid out in 1887. Louis Sedentop was later given the title of Father of Farmersville., . "Get your kicks on Route 66" has significance in this area. It put villages, towns and cities on the map of the U.S. that had never been there before! The building of Route 66 began in 1926 and passes through eight states and across three rivers. A small length of the first Route 66 still in Farmersville, running from the Webb Insurance building to the former Joe Tischkau Service Station. , . The Farmersville-Waggoner communities were proud of Farmersville High School, with the first graduating class in 1923 and the final class in 1962. The gymnasium, built in 1936, is still used extensively by the community. Along with their regular curriculum, the High School offered great sports activities and cheerleading opportunities for the students. Many in our communities still gather to celebrate reunions form Farmersville High School., . Still standing on the west side of the square is the original Charles McAnamey Grocery and General Merchandise Store, built in 1895. The building housed many businesses over the years, including grocery stores, a radio repair business, and the Roy Martintoni Locker., . Farmersville's first Drug Store was opened by Mr. Johnson in 1910 and later sold to Pharmacist Frank Millburg. In 1935 it was purchased by Lela and Alvin Heisman. Lela owned and operated the store for over forty years, selling soda, ice cream, candy, jewelry and magazines. In 1977, Lela and Roy Martintoni, owner of Farmersville Locker, were honored for 70 years of combined service to the community., . Art's Restaurant, originally on West Elevator Street, was owned by Martin Gorman and Art McAnamey. Over the years, Art's was leased or sold to others, but was supported and loved by the community for its good food and friendly atmosphere., . The first Irish Days Celebration was held in 1907. In 1909 a merry-go-round was introduced. 1910 featured a balloon ascension and parachute drop. A tight wire, aerial act and pie eating contest appeared in 1911. A steam powered merry-go-round and passenger plane provided rides in 1933. A ferris wheel was added in 1937. Over the years additions were home talent, horse show, queen pageant and chili cook off. , . A major part in Farmersville's rich history is the Opera House, believed to have been built in 1910. Used for entertainment, graduation ceremonies, wedding receptions and dances, the building thrived until the 1950s. After years of deterioration, the Farmersville Revitalization Committee began efforts to restore the building in 2011. Brad and Cassandra Rovey purchased the building in 2021 for their home décor business, The Rooted home. Upstairs, memories of years of enjoyment at the Opera House live on., . The Green Diamond Trail, used for walking, jogging and cycling, is on the former Illinois Railroad Line, built on the west side of the village in 1887. Called the St. Louis and Chicago Railroad Company, it was a transportation route between the two cities. In 1907, the Inter Urban Railroad began operating through Farmersville.